'Bharat' do need a Lakshaman Rekha...

As I write this piece, am in a state of inner-conflict, a dilemma to be precise. On one hand we have a very positive sign of journalism which carried out a very sensitive interview of the Gang rape eyewitness on Zee. On the other channel, at the same time have to endure dumb journalism on Colors in Big Boss 6.

These are two facets of media and it is true for other industries too. Existing of bad and more bad & good. The outrageous act of 16 Dec’12 has stirred our consciousness. Society has felt the impact. There are genuine tears and some forced one too. Policing and governance are found wanting. Media took up the case and followed it to the teeth. But for media and an awakened society this case would have been any other statistic or file.

But the ‘revolutionary’ media is losing out on the momentum it has generated. It seems confused. In their over-eagerness to emphasise sensitivity towards women they are continuously trivialising this revolution. In last few days they have put every politician/administrative official uttering his views on the issue and womanhood to dock.

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Do these people not enjoy freedom of expression or is it just monopoly of some news anchors. They are trivialising the issue as they do not seem serious in their endeavour. One the views aired is personal opinions and vast majority, females included, do agree with them. These comments are not totally wrong. Secondly these channels have not stopped commercials of Axe spray, ladki patane ke tareeke etc on their channels. Society is fed up with these double standards.

The issue of ‘Bharat’ & ‘India’ is worth contemplating on. We are in midst of societal churning. Conflict between tradition and modernity. Conflict due to vast sensuous/violent images all around. Burgeoning gaps between have and have not’s. Low interest in Moral education but preference and financial aid for Safe Sex. Lakshaman Rekhas’ are important for everyone, be men or women! Most of the India is ‘Bharat’. Rape as a crime is heinous and is not done by human. No law will be able to stop them altogather. They can be minimised and go punished only if everyone does its bit. The men not look women as commodity. The women on their part must not be inviting either. There is vast influx of various backgrounds in a society, what is normal for one may be lustrous for some. We can shout out loud that people have every right to do what they feel is right, and this is absolutely right, but is it not that prevention plays a vital part in our lives.

Media shouting on individualistic comments is not changing the society’s perception of their women. They may go silent. Good voices may go silent. News anchors will then have no one to barb at and would move to other story which fetch more trp’s. Degradation of values in commercials and our lives shall continue… we definitely do not need moral policing, not the least media-policing.. .. ..